Forest Sciences and Biology
CIP Code: 3.0502A forest sciences and biology degree prepares graduates for careers in Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary, Foresters, Conservation scientists. 22 colleges and universities offer this program.
Forest Sciences and Biology Salary by College
Nationally, bachelor’s graduates in this field earn a median $58,784 four years after graduating (middle half: $44,916–$73,142). Where you study it matters: across 31 colleges with reported results, pay ranges from $48,755 to $86,357.
Sort by:
| # | College | 4 yrs after | Wage-adjusted | 1 yr after | Median debt | Outcome Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC | $86,357 | $92,673 | $61,142 | $21,750 | A |
| 2 | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata, CA | $79,849 | $72,657 | $52,810 | $21,000 | F |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA | $77,419 | $70,446 | $55,092 | $17,333 | A+ |
| 4 | University of Georgia Athens, GA | $68,965 | $71,393 | $47,214 | $14,500 | A |
| 5 | Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LA | $65,941 | $76,332 | $44,120 | $22,083 | B |
| 6 | Alabama A & M University Normal, AL | $64,749 | $73,496 | — | — | F |
| 7 | Auburn University Auburn, AL | $64,704 | $73,445 | $51,421 | $18,750 | A |
| 8 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WV | $64,568 | $76,388 | $43,228 | $20,500 | B+ |
| 9 | University of Idaho Moscow, ID | $64,392 | $68,472 | $47,399 | $16,500 | C+ |
| 10 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA | $64,204 | $58,464 | $45,817 | $20,663 | A |
| 11 | Clemson University Clemson, SC | $63,764 | $70,704 | $53,850 | $22,875 | A+ |
| 12 | Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX | $63,468 | $64,528 | $40,314 | $17,750 | A |
| 13 | Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO | $62,919 | $58,842 | $37,539 | $22,073 | C+ |
| 14 | The University of Montana Missoula, MT | $60,526 | $66,115 | $31,138 | — | D |
| 15 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN | $58,651 | $56,024 | $43,842 | $19,500 | A |
| 16 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS | $58,499 | $70,977 | $40,219 | $19,000 | B |
| 17 | Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA | $57,678 | $59,708 | $40,065 | $20,065 | F |
| 18 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, NY | $57,664 | $54,884 | — | — | C+ |
| 19 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN | $57,436 | $62,743 | $31,441 | $25,548 | B+ |
| 20 | Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN | $56,754 | $60,887 | $43,029 | — | A+ |
| 21 | University of Maine Orono, ME | $56,124 | $59,645 | $43,901 | $23,269 | C |
| 22 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI | $55,912 | $58,953 | $45,571 | $25,500 | A |
| 23 | Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX | $55,786 | $56,718 | $39,953 | $21,597 | D |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI | $55,724 | $57,984 | $41,177 | $21,393 | C |
| 24 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI | $55,724 | $58,754 | $39,178 | $29,362 | A |
| 26 | Iowa State University Ames, IA | $52,650 | $55,381 | $39,337 | $18,750 | B+ |
| 27 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ | $52,191 | $53,627 | $40,435 | $22,698 | C+ |
| 28 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY | $51,331 | $58,122 | $32,573 | — | B+ |
| 29 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL | $50,394 | $49,512 | $35,398 | $20,500 | C |
| 30 | Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Paul Smiths, NY | $49,291 | $46,915 | $44,342 | — | F |
| 31 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | $48,755 | $51,893 | $26,838 | $15,500 | A+ |
Bachelor’s degrees. Wage-adjusted = pay ÷ √(state wage index). Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data.
What Can You Do With a Forest Sciences and Biology Degree?
Graduates with this degree pursue careers in the following fields:
Best Colleges for Forest Sciences and Biology
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees awarded. These are the top-rated colleges that produce the most graduates in forest sciences and biology.
| # | College | Location | Degrees Awarded | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 69 | A |
| 2 | Mississippi State University | Mississippi State, MS | 43 | B |
| 3 | Iowa State University | Ames, IA | 28 | B |
| 4 | Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 26 | B |
| 5 | University of Kentucky | Lexington, KY | 25 | B |
| 6 | Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff, AZ | 62 | C+ |
Largest Forest Sciences and Biology Programs
Schools ranked by number of graduates. These institutions produce the most forest sciences and biology graduates annually, including online and distance learning programs.
| # | College | Location | Degrees Awarded | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 69 | A |
| 2 | Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff, AZ | 62 | C+ |
| 3 | Mississippi State University | Mississippi State, MS | 43 | B |
| 4 | Iowa State University | Ames, IA | 28 | B |
| 5 | Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 26 | B |
| 6 | University of Kentucky | Lexington, KY | 25 | B |
About Forest Sciences and Biology
Forest Sciences and Biology is a degree program offered at 22 colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, approximately 393 students graduate with this degree.
Graduates with this degree can pursue careers such as forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary, foresters, conservation scientists.